Published on July 22, 2017

Zhuhai, China: Thai teenager Saranporn Langkulgasettrin fired a breathtaking closing eight-under-par 64 to claim a runaway victory at the CLPGA Zhuhai Heritage.
The 17-year-old Phuket native finished on 17-under 199 at the Colin Montgomerie-designed Zhuhai Golden Gulf Golf Club to earn RMB30,000. It was her second success on the China LPGA Tour this season, following her triumph at last month’s Wuhan Challenge.
Chinese amateur He Muni posted a 68 to finish equal runner-up with Chinese Taipei’s Peng Chieh (69), six shots behind Saranporn. Thai Dussavi Soopimjit (65) was fourth in the RMB200,000 event, a new tournament with a low purse designed to give Chinese players and others from around the region more competitive playing opportunities.
Starting the day with a one-stroke lead, Saranporn played flawless golf in a round that featured six birdies and an eagle. It was her 11^th win as a professional.
Her 199 total tied the China LPGA Tour record for lowest 54-hole winning score, matching the performances of Carlota Ciganda at the 2012 Suzhou Taihu Ladies Open and Park Sung-hyu at the 2015 Hyundai China Ladies Open.
For Saranporn, her eight-under round was a personal best. “The whole week I was playing golf the way I expected. My shots were good and my putting was good. I was really confident in my putter but I didn’t expect an eight-under score,” she said.
Saranporn said she knew victory was hers at the 15th hole. Three shots clear of the field, she holed out from 137 yards for an eagle-two. “I thought it was over the green as I saw the ball roll and disappear. I thought it rolled off the green but the people at the green were yelling: ‘In the hole, eagle’,” she said.
Peng, playing in only her third event since turning professional, never mounted a challenge after an erratic start saw her run up three consecutive bogeys from the second hole. She rebounded with an eagle-three at the 471-yard seventh hole and five birdies against another bogey at the last.
“After three bogeys in a row I began to play freely. I need to review what I did from the last group. Why couldn’t I play stress-free golf out of the gate? My weak point is inconsistency. Hopefully I can play better when I’m in contention next time,” said the 23-year-old who recently graduated from Mississippi State University.
He, a freshman at the University of Southern California, put herself in the conversation to be part of the Guangdong team for September’s National Games when the 18-year-old impressed in the final group, closing with a bogey-free round featuring four birdies.
The teenager expressed her admiration for Saranporn and her ability to build on her leading score. “It’s not a piece of cake. It shows that she has great mental game. I was far away from the trophy. However, it’s a good step forward as far as the National Games is concerned.”